Skills Development
Mastering fundamental skills will help you improve quickly, gain confidence, and enjoy the game even more!
The Importance of Skill Development in Pickleball: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Players
As you progress in pickleball, the skills you need to focus on evolve. Each level requires a different approach—from mastering the basics to refining strategy and mental toughness. Here’s a breakdown of the importance of skills at each stage:
Top Five Skills Every Beginner Pickleball Player Should Practice
If you’re new to pickleball, mastering these fundamental skills will help you improve quickly, gain confidence, and enjoy the game even more
Consistent & Controlled Serve
Your serve is how every point starts, so make it count!
✅ Practice serving deep to keep opponents at the baseline.
✅ Focus on placement over power—aim for consistency first.
✅ Try serving to your opponent’s backhand to gain an advantage.
Return of the Server Placement
A strong return sets you up for success!
✅ Hit the return deep to keep your opponent back.
✅ Use a high, controlled shot to give yourself time to move up to the NVZ (kitchen).
✅ Work on returning cross-court for better angles
Moving to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The team that controls the NVZ usually wins the point!
✅ Get to the kitchen line quickly and with control after the return of serve.
✅ Stay in an athletic stance with your paddle ready.
✅ Move with your partner to avoid leaving gaps.
Dinking – Mastering Soft Shots
The dink shot is key to controlling the pace of the game.
✅ Keep your dinks low and unattackable.
✅ Use soft hands and keep your wrist relaxed.
✅ Aim for your opponent’s backhand to force weaker returns.
The Third Shot Drop
The most important shot in pickleball!
✅ Aim to land the ball softly in the opponent’s kitchen.
✅ Use a smooth, controlled swing, not too much power.
✅ Work on hitting the shot high enough to clear the net but low enough to stay unattackable
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to refine your technique, improve consistency, and develop winning strategies to take your game to the next level. Here are the top five skills intermediate players should focus on!
Top Five Skills Every Intermediate Pickleball Player Should Practice
The difference between an intermediate and an advanced player is consistency, patience, and strategic thinking. Keep refining these skills, and you’ll quickly level up your game!
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to refine your technique, improve consistency, and develop winning strategies to take your game to the next level. Here are the top five skills intermediate players should focus on!
Improving Dinking Strategy
Dinking isn’t just about keeping the ball in play—it’s about setting up the attack.
✅ Use different dink depths and angles to move your opponent out of position.
✅ Target your opponent’s backhand for weaker returns.
✅ Recognize when to speed up the point and attack off a high dink
Faster Hands at the Net (Volley Reflexes)
Winning at the NVZ requires quick reactions and controlled volleys.
✅ Keep your paddle up and in the ready position.
✅ Use short, controlled movements rather than big swings.
✅ Practice blocking fast shots instead of trying to hit everything hard.
Shot Placement & Court Awareness
Winning at the NVZ requires quick reactions and controlled volleys.
✅ Keep your paddle up and in the ready position.
✅ Use short, controlled movements rather than big swings.
✅ Practice blocking fast shots instead of trying to hit everything hard.
Effective Drop Volleys (Reset Shots)
Winning at the NVZ requires quick reactions and controlled volleys.
✅ Keep your paddle up and in the ready position.
✅ Use short, controlled movements rather than big swings.
✅ Practice blocking fast shots instead of trying to hit everything hard.
Strengthening the Mental Game
Pickleball is as much a mental game as it is physical.
✅ Stay calm under pressure and recover quickly from mistakes.
✅ Recognize opponent patterns and adapt your strategy.
✅ Improve your focus and patience, especially during long rallie
The difference between an intermediate and an advanced player is consistency, patience, and strategic thinking. Keep refining these skills, and you’ll quickly level up your game!
Top Five Skills Every Advanced Pickleball Player Should Practice
At the advanced level, it’s all about refining your strategy, increasing consistency, and mastering high-level shot execution. If you want to compete at a higher level, these eight skills are essential for dominating the court!
Advanced Third Shot Strategy – Drop, Drive, or Lob?
At this level, mixing up your third shot keeps your opponents guessing.
✅ Master the third shot drop so you can place it precisely in the kitchen.
✅ Use third shot drives strategically to set up a fifth-shot advantage
✅ Recognize when a third shot lob can push opponents back and create an opening.
Speed-Up & Counterattack at the Net
The ability to initiate and react to fast-paced hands battles is a game-changer.
✅ Learn to attack at the right moment—off a high dink or weak return.
✅ Work on fast reflex volleys to counter speed-ups and reset points.
✅ Develop a disguised attack by using different angles and speeds
Mastering the Erne & Around-the-Post (ATP) Shots
These advanced techniques turn defense into offense and add a dangerous weapon to your game.
✅ Recognize when to execute an Erne—jumping outside the NVZ for an attack.
✅ Develop precision for Around-the-Post (ATP) shots when your opponent pushes you wide.
✅ Use the Erne and ATP to put immediate pressure on your opponent
Defensive Resets & Midcourt Transitions)
The best players know how to turn defense into offense with controlled resets.
✅ Use soft hands to reset the ball when under attack.
✅ Stay balanced in the transition zone (midcourt) instead of rushing to the net.
✅ Keep the ball low and neutralize aggressive opponents with a controlled block.
Advanced Dinking Strategy – Outlast & Ourmanever
The best players know how to turn defense into offense with controlled resets.
✅ Use soft hands to reset the ball when under attack.
✅ Stay balanced in the transition zone (midcourt) instead of rushing to the net.
✅ Keep the ball low and neutralize aggressive opponents with a controlled block.
Final Takeaway: Keep Practicing & Keep Learning!
Every great pickleball player goes through these stages—from beginner to advanced. The key to improvement is consistent practice, smart play, and adapting to higher levels of competition.
No matter where you are in your journey, keep training, stay patient, and have fun improving!
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